Matlock Town 2-3 Derby County
A highly encouraging display from the Gladiators saw them unfortunate to lose by the odd goal in five to a Rams side, half of which had enjoyed first team experience.
Nathan Benger scored his second sucessive brace which was not quite enough to earn Matlock the draw they deserved as Nigel Clough's men netted through Arnaud Mendy, Greg Mills and Alex Prisovic, the last goal coming with ten minutes left.
With illness ruling out the likes of Lee Featherstone and Danny Wood, trialist Lee Stratford came in at left back while another trialist, former Gladiator Gareth Davies, lined up in entral midfield. Benger was paired with Danny Davidson, with Ross Hannah on the bench.
Matlock came close to a dream start as Davidson's shot looped over in the opening twenty seconds. Derby's response was a Prisovic header from a fine Jason Beardsley cross which flew wide. Benger then dug out a shot after a pass from Paul Riley but his shot bobbled straight to former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll.
But Derby drew first blood in the 14th minute as Luke Varney turned Ashley Foyle inside out before thumping a low shot against a post with MENDY following up to confidently side foot the rebound home.
But the goal failed to disrupt Town's rhythm. An Ian Clarke free kick was deflected narrowly wide and from the corner which followed, Carroll managed to block James Lukic's near post flick.
And the hosts drew level on 28 minutes when Davidson's fine work saw him play BENGER clear who slipped a fine low shot past the advancing Carroll.
Derby though were back in front with a soft strike on 35 minutes as MILLS cut in from the left and his low cross struck Paul Pettinger before going in. The Matlock goalkeeper would not be pleased with his part in the goal.
Mendy then burst through to drag a shot wide, but Matlock were dangerous throughout and after Davidson and then Benger could not find a telling strike, the ball ran to Clarke who blasted wide.
That was Clarke's final contribution as he was replaced by Darren Cartwright on the right flank, the youngster not being overawed as he faced former Watford full back Jordan Stewart.
Within ten minutes of the restart plucky Matlock were level as Davidson held the ball up well and BENGER won a challenge against Jake Buxton before firing firmly under Carroll.
Then Hannah, with virtually his first touch, and possibly offside, could have put Town in front but his fierce drive sailed over the bar.
Soon afterwards Matlock threatened again whn Riley swung in a free kick from the right and Carroll somewhat unconvincingly scrambled away Dene Cropper's downward header.
Prisovic's controlled volley from Mark Dudley's clever cross dipped just too late and rookie Town custodian Martin Duberry held an effort from the same source but PRISOVIC settled a thrilling game, calmly lifting his shot over the onrushing Duberry, the ball bouncing in off a post.
It was a beautifully taken strike, but the Rams survived an almighty scare soon afterwards as Carroll pulled down Hannah in full flight on the edge of the box. If points had been at stake, Carroll might easily have had first use of the showers. Steve Warne's free kick bounced agonisingly the wrong side of Carroll's right hand post before Warne was unlucky again, having a goal ruled out for offside after a sweet combination with Hannah.
It was a greatly improved Matlock showing from the Chesterfield game as the Gladiators were in the Rams faces and it was sometimes difficult to distinguish who were the full time players.
A healthy 845 crowd had enjoyed an absorbing contest and had got definite value for money.
MATLOCK TOWN: Pettinger (Duberry 75), Brough, Stratford, Davies (Thorpe 64), Lukic (Storer 64), Foyle (Laight 46), Clarke (Cartwright 46), Warne, Davidson (Cropper 68), Benger (Hannah 58), Riley. Other sub: Pendleton.
DERBY COUNTY: Carroll, Albrechtsen, Stewart, Mendy, Johnson, Buxton (Dudley 71), Beardsley, Pringle (Kelly 74), Prisovic (Garton 81), Varney (O'Jamaa 66), Mills. Other subs: Deeney, Cole.
Referee: R Shoebridge--Ripley. Attendance: 845 .
